The death toll in Afghanistan is on course to be the highest ever this year, and, as one would expect, the number of wounded U.S. troops is reaching all time highs as well. Through July 3, 2,000 Americans have been wounded in Afghanistan; in June alone, 517 Americans were wounded. That compares to 2,139 wounded in 2009.
Pentagon officials have long warned that the U.S. casualty toll would climb as the surge troops arrive and push into areas where the Taliban have enjoyed free reign over the past eight years. IED attacks, which have increased 22 percent over last year, continue to be the single biggest cause of coalition casualties
– Greg Grant
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Is that a MK. 48? Not sure, let me know.
Just like Vietnam the bulk of the deaths come when it is recognized that the war is lost but we have to fight on for reasons of international prestige.
Somewhere in the state department there will be as spreadsheet with a calculation on just how many servicemen need to die before we can leave with "honor".
It's not about international prestige, it's about making sure the Taliban isn't able to impose their perverse worldview onto ordinary Afghans.
ha ha ha you must be very young. When you grow up son you'll find that the fairy stories aren't true.
You must be senile then, for mixing up the Vietnam War with Afghanistan. Perhaps, being cinical would give you comfort, but it doesn't make it right to forget what led us into Afghanistan in the first place.
Maybe you were born after we went into Afghanistan but "making sure the Taliban isn't able to impose their perverse worldview onto ordinary Afghans" wasn't why we went there.
Here is a hint. We were more than happy to fund and negotiate deals with them before 911.
In other news another CIA funded terrorist organization killed 20 people yesterday. Heads up and pay attention children – they are dearest allies now but can bet you will be fighting them when you get to military age.
"Pentagon officials have long warned that the U.S. casualty toll would climb as the surge troops arrive and push into areas where the Taliban have enjoyed free reign over the past eight years."
-Blah, blah, blah. Death tolls climb when your ROE keep you from killing the enemy. Death tolls climb when the enemy knows how to work your own weakness (political correctness) against you. Death tolls climb when your usurper-in-chief is nothing more than a social agitator rather than a leader. This is Obama's war now, and it's Obama's death-toll thanks to his "leadership". I guess hope and change are coming home in more flag-covered coffins than ever.
Why's he using a M249 when there's a loaded 'fifty right there?
Might be using the scope to check something? It's just iron sights on that M2…
Not all problems are military, and not all military problems can be solved kinetically.